What in the Woods Is That?

Play our biweekly guessing game!

Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.

Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).

Whose House is This?

Our friend Alfred Balch submitted this picture of a nest he found recently. What kind of bird made it?

Answer

A Canada goose nest. Canada geese usually nest on the ground, and their nests are festooned with light-colored down and body feathers. Wild turkeys have similarly-sized eggs, but their nests aren’t lined with down. Look closely and you’ll see that some nearby branches had been nibbled on by a beaver, a hint that water is nearby. Females incubate 3-8 large, creamy white eggs (another helpful ID) for about four weeks while the male stands guard.

This week’s contest winner was James Sirch of New Haven, CT!